Minutes
Ordinary
20th February 2024

MINUTES OF THE 362nd MEETING OF ASKAM AND IRELETH PARISH COUNCIL, TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2024 AT 7.30 PM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, DUKE STREET, ASKAM

Present: Members of the Parish Council Councillors Alan Mason, Mike Cumming, Sandra Hadwick and Rebecca Knagg; Clerk Mrs Janice Cumming, W&F Councillor Daniel Edwards, Police Sergeant John Dilks, 15 members of the public

1/02/24: DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST None

2/02/24: APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Harry Barker, Bill Wilson, Susan Orrell, W&F Councillor Ben Shirley

3/02/24: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
An email had been received regarding concerns about pollution in the beck at Lowsy Point, which suspected to be diesel. The Clerk had contacted W&F, who had contacted the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency had visited the site and would be providing a report. The National Trust had also contacted the parish council as the beck is within their land at Lowsy Point. NT are also in contact with the Environment Agency. Cllr Ben Shirley is also aware of the situation.

4/02/24: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 16 JANUARY 2024
These were approved and agreed as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr Rebecca Knagg Seconded Cllr Alan Mason Agreed

5/02/24: PROGRESS REPORTS AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
5/02/24/1: Parking on New Road. Cllr Ben Shirley had visited the area and had spoken to residents. No further details had been received from Cllr Shirley. Although it was reported by a resident that the situated had improved, apart from one vehicle.
5/02/24/2: Danger to Pedestrians crossing A590 from Greenhaume to Dalton. Cllr Edwards said there was no update.
5/02/24/3: Over-grown tree at land on Duke Street. Action has been taken by Westmorland and Furness Council and tree has been removed. Thanks were expressed for the swift action by W&F. Closed
5/02/24/4: Clearing pavements of ice and snow. Cllr Ben Shirley had made representation to Highways regarding Duddon Inshore Rescue clearing the pavements during the winter weather. The response has been forwarded to DIR.
5/02/24/5: Parking in Askam and Ireleth. A date is yet to be agreed for the walk around Askam and Ireleth.
5/02/24/6: Statue for Memorial Garden. Still awaiting confirmation from W&F that the lease has been signed.

6/02/24: REPORT FROM BARROW NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM – SGT JOHN DILKS
Sergeant John Dilks gave an update. There have been 11 crimes recorded from 16 January to 20 February including low level assaults, persons being known to each other, child welfare, on-line communications which were dealt with. Road traffic – parking issues on Abbey Heights caused by construction work at The Old Vicarage Nursing Home, reports of speeding on the Dalton bye-pass, vehicles damaged on School Street. The Speed Indicator Device is being deployed on Dalton Road results from a 7-day period with the SID facing in the Dalton direction was 18979 recorded during the period with average percentile of 37.1 mph. Sgt Dilks felt that traffic slowed down when they saw the SID. A police desk drop-in was carried out at Askam Library on 12th February, it is hoped that these drop-ins will be on a regular basis. The good news is that Dalton North, which includes Askam and Ireleth will have a dedicated Police Officer, PC Chloe Dixon will commence duties in Dalton North on 18 March 2024, with a PCSO being allocated to the area later in the year.

7/02/24: TO REPORT AND DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Reference Number : B21/2024/0029 Location : Belmont, Duddon Road, Askam-In-Furness. Proposal : Single storey extension forming an extended dining room. There were no objections or comments.
Reference Number : B06/2024/0024 Location : Land at Roanhead Farm, Hawthwaite Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Proposal : Application for Outline Planning Permission for up to 233 eco lodge units, habitat creation and ecological enhancements, estate management facility, residential student training academy, coastal ecology field study centre, staff accommodation, supporting indoor and outdoor leisure, retail facilities and associated works with access (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved for subsequent approval) (Application includes Environmental Statement) (Re-submission of B06/2023/0307 in a revised form). The parish council would be objecting to this application and the full objection would be sent to planning after this meeting. The objection should be on the Planning portal soon. Questions were asked from members of the public regarding this resubmitted application, answers to these are included in the parish council’s response which will be sent to the Planning Department in the next few days.
Reference Number : B13/2023/0785 Location : Land adjacent to 107 Beach Street Askam-in-Furness Cumbria Proposal : Proposed dwelling – resubmission of 2023/0215. The applicant was present at the meeting and made comments regarding his application and the response sent by the parish council to the original application. The parish council will take these comments into consideration when they respond. There has been correspondence from a resident of Beach Street, which has been circulated to the parish councillors this will also be taken into consideration by the parish council.

8/02/24: UPDATE FROM WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCILLOR
Cllr Edwards reported that he had received complaints about missing street signs in Askam and he would be looking into this. There had been a power cut recently experienced by residents of Greenhaume, with some reports of vulnerable residents being affected. Cllr Edwards contacted to ENWL regarding the situation and was given this and advised any vulnerable residents to make contact www.ukpowernetwork.co.uk/power-cut/priority-services. Cllr Edwards said that he had given his W&F allowance to both Askam Youth Club and the Friends of Ireleth St Peter’s school.

9/02/24: VACANCY FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR
Application received to co-opt a parish council. Interview would take place w/c 28 February 2024.

10/02/24: POLICE POD
Cllr Mike Cumming reported that the police pod had been removed successfully. The area where the pod had been situated needed some attention this would be looked at in the coming months, when the weather improved.

11/02/24: REPORT FROM CLERK (INCLUDING FINANCES)
The monthly expenditure spread sheet was made available to the councillors. This was agreed and accepted.
Proposed Cllr Rebecca Knagg Seconded Cllr Sandra Hadwick Agreed

12/02/24: CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence sent to the parish councillors prior to the meeting.

13/02/24: SANCTIONS FOR PAYMENT
Monthly landscaping £787.15, hire of methodist hall for budget meeting £20.00, Printer paper £8.30,
8 x 2nd class stamps £6.00.

14/02/24: DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 19 March 2024 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre, Duke Street, Askam.

Signed ……………………………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..